parvovirus

[ pahr-voh-vahy-ruhs ]

noun

, plural par·vo·vi·rus·es.

1. Veterinary Pathology. a highly contagious, often fatal viral disease of dogs, characterized by vomiting, severe diarrhea, and depression and accompanied by high fever and loss of appetite.
2. any of several small DNA-containing viruses belonging to the genus Parvovirus, of the family Parvoviridae, especially the virus that causes the disease parvovirus in dogs or distemper in cats.

parvovirus

/ ˈpɑːvəʊˌvaɪrəs /

noun

1. any of a group of viruses characterized by their very small size, each of which is specific to a particular species, as for example canine parvovirus

parvovirus

/ pär′vō-vī′rəs /

1. Any of a group of small DNA viruses of the family Parvoviridae that cause disease in many vertebrates, especially a febrile infection in dogs resulting in vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes death. In humans it commonly causes an acute contagious infection called fifth disease , marked by a facial rash.

Word History and Origins

Origin of parvovirus¹

1960–65; < Latin parv ( us ) small + -o- + virus

Word History and Origins

Origin of parvovirus¹

C20: New Latin from Latin parvus little + virus

Example Sentences

She says the harsh winter weather combined with the conditions in public dog shelters and the prevalence of potentially diseases such as parvovirus make young puppies very vulnerable.

From BBC

These included rabies for dogs and cats, canine parvovirus and canine distemper for dogs, and feline panleukopenia and feline Bordetella for cats.

From Science Daily

“The big one, of course, is rabies. Rabies is a killer… but there's also parvovirus. There's distemper. There's roundworm. There's leptospirosis. I mean, I could go on and on.”

From National Geographic

Precautions here are strict because of a recent canine parvovirus outbreak that sickened some of the puppies.

From Seattle Times

Four puppies were brought in Sept. 7 from an undisclosed home in Lake Los Angeles and tested positive for parvovirus disease, according to department spokesperson Leah Cohen.

From Los Angeles Times